Arthur Hellman on Motion for Recusal of Judge in Proposition 8 Case

Published September 24, 2014

The motion to vacate a gay judge's ruling in the Proposition 8 case takes disqualification law into uncharted territory, says Pitt Law Professor Arthur Hellman, quoted in The American Prospect. Hellman comments that the attempt to get the ruling of federal Judge Vaughn Walker overturned because he did not disclose that he was gay and in a committed relationship presents an incredibly unusual situation. "It's rare that you have a case like this one where the plaintiffs are seeking a form of relief that would benefit the judge in a non-financial way."